The Associated Press has deleted a tweet about words potentially seen as dehumanizing.
In a tweet Friday, the AP Stylebook account wrote, “We deleted an earlier tweet because of an inappropriate reference to French people. We did not intend to offend.”
“Writing French people, French citizens, etc., is good. But ‘the’ terms for any people can sound dehumanizing and imply a monolith rather than diverse individuals,” it continued. “That is why we recommend avoiding general ‘the’ labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the wealthy, the disabled, the college-educated.”
That is why we recommend avoiding general “the” labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the wealthy, the disabled, the college-educated.
— APStylebook (@APStylebook) January 27, 2023
Additionally, it suggested, “Use wording such as people with mental illnesses or wealthy people. Use these descriptions only when clearly relevant and that relevance is made clear in the story.”
“Be specific when possible and relevant, such as people with incomes below the poverty line,” the tweet added.
The Stylebook also recommends using a mix of identity-first language (homeless people) and person-first language (people who are homeless) if the preference of an individual or group can't be determined.
— APStylebook (@APStylebook) January 27, 2023
In a tweet on Thursday, the outlet wrote, “We recommend avoiding general and often dehumanizing ‘the’ labels such as the poor, the mentally ill, the French, the disabled, the college-educated. Instead, use wording such as people with mental illnesses. And use these descriptions only when clearly relevant.”
However, it was quickly mocked as users noted the part of section of the tweet that listed “the French” as an example.
The AP’s revised tweet still wound up being mocked.
Columnist Josh Barro tweeted, “The idea that this is ‘dehumanizing’ is completely invented, a made-up problem.”
The idea that this is “dehumanizing” is completely invented, a made-up problem https://t.co/Aj6ZuXK5Ud
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) January 27, 2023
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote, “THE woke!”
THE woke! https://t.co/T9DhHtO3Pa
— Senator Jim Banks (@SenatorBanks) January 27, 2023
Michael Weiss, a senior correspondent at Yahoo News, tweeted, “They’ll lose twice. First by offending, em, French people, and then by their perceived capitulation to ‘le wokeisme.'”
They’ll lose twice. First by offending, em, French people, and then by their perceived capitulation to “le wokeisme.” https://t.co/97sxsfdaZd
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) January 27, 2023
Journalist Ben Dreyfuss chimed in, “This is even more funny tbh. The French were not offended by this!!!!! People just thought it was stupid lol.”
https://twitter.com/bendreyfuss/status/1619030529332084736
Twitter owner Elon Musk asked, “So then why do call yourself ‘The’ Associated Press.”
So then why do call yourself “The” Associated Press 😂 pic.twitter.com/DPdQYjXfdO
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2023
Sport commentator Dan Dakich suggested the AP should simply “shut the hell up.”
